Audio AlternativesLast updated February 26, 2026
Best Apple AirPods Max Alternatives (2026) - Premium ANC Without the Premium Price
Looking for alternatives to Apple AirPods Max ($449)? Save $100-$399 with these tested alternatives.
Original
Apple AirPods Max
$449
Top Alternative
Sony WH-1000XM5
$348
Save $101Why is Apple AirPods Max so expensive?
Apple's pricing reflects their premium materials strategy—the AirPods Max use machined aluminum ear cups and a stainless steel headband frame instead of the plastic construction found in every competitor. You're paying for Apple's proprietary H1 chip powering computational audio and spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, seamless automatic switching between Apple devices, and the intangible Apple design cachet. The mesh canopy headband is genuinely innovative, distributing weight more evenly than padded alternatives. But a significant portion of that $449 goes toward Apple's ecosystem lock-in premium—features that only work fully within their walled garden.
Best Alternatives
Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony XM5 beats the AirPods Max where it matters most for travelers: better noise cancellation courtesy of Sony's V1 processor, 30-hour battery versus 20 hours, and nearly 135 grams lighter at 250g. It also supports LDAC Hi-Res Audio codec, which the AirPods Max lacks over Bluetooth. The only real sacrifice is losing Apple ecosystem features like automatic device switching and spatial audio head tracking.
- Industry-leading adaptive noise cancellation
- 30-hour battery with ANC enabled
- 250g — lightest in its class
- Speak-to-Chat auto-pauses music
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Bose's QuietComfort Ultra is the comfort king for long-haul flights—deeper protein leather ear cushions and lighter clamping force mean you can wear them for 14+ hours without fatigue, something the heavier AirPods Max struggle with. They fold flat into a compact case, solving the AirPods Max's biggest portability complaint. Bose's Immersive Audio is a credible spatial sound alternative, and the 24-hour battery also outlasts Apple's 20 hours.
- Best-in-class comfort for extended wear
- Immersive Audio spatial sound feature
- Folds flat into compact case
- Adjustable ANC levels via app
Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
If sound quality is your top priority, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 is the audiophile's choice. Its 42mm transducers deliver a wider soundstage and more detailed midrange than the AirPods Max, and the 60-hour battery life is three times what Apple offers. At $300, you save $149 while getting objectively better audio reproduction. The trade-off is weaker ANC compared to Sony or Bose, though it's still effective for flights.
- Audiophile-grade 42mm drivers
- 60-hour battery life — best in class
- Adaptive ANC adjusts to environment
- Premium materials (leather, aluminum)
Soundcore Life Q20 Headphones
At $50, the Soundcore Life Q20 is a staggering $399 less than the AirPods Max—and it still delivers active noise cancellation that blocks the majority of airplane cabin noise. The 40-hour battery is double what Apple offers, and it supports Hi-Res Audio certification. Sound quality and ANC precision are noticeably lower, but for travelers who don't want to risk $449 headphones getting lost, stolen, or damaged, the Q20 is a no-brainer backup or primary option.
- Active noise canceling
- 40-hour battery
- Hi-Res Audio
Why Look for Alternatives?
The Apple AirPods Max are undeniably gorgeous headphones—premium aluminum and stainless steel construction, spatial audio with head tracking, and seamless integration across every Apple device you own. But at $449, they're the most expensive mainstream headphones on the market, and they come with real trade-offs that give travelers pause.
At 384 grams, the AirPods Max are significantly heavier than competitors. They lack a folding design, so they eat up precious carry-on space. The 20-hour battery trails every rival in this roundup. And the proprietary Lightning-to-3.5mm cable situation is frustrating. The good news: several alternatives deliver 90% or more of the AirPods Max experience at 30-70% of the price, with better portability and longer battery life to boot.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Price | Savings | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple AirPods Max | $449 | — | — | Original |
| Sony WH-1000XM5 | $348 | $101 | 4.6 | premium |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones | $349 | $100 | 4.4 | premium |
| Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless | $300 | $149 | 4.5 | premium |
| Soundcore Life Q20 Headphones | $50 | $399 | 4.4 | budget |
Related Comparisons
Want to see how these products stack up head-to-head? Check out our detailed comparisons.
About the Reviewer
Senior Travel Editor
Former flight attendant turned travel journalist with 2M+ air miles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are AirPods Max worth it over Sony WH-1000XM5?
Only if Apple ecosystem integration is your top priority. The Sony XM5 has better noise cancellation, longer battery life, lighter weight, and costs $100 less. AirPods Max win on build quality and seamless Apple device switching, but for pure travel performance, the Sony is the stronger choice.
Do I need AirPods Max if I have an iPhone?
No. While AirPods Max integrate beautifully with iPhones, all major competitors work perfectly fine with iOS via Bluetooth. You lose automatic switching and spatial audio head tracking, but you gain better ANC and battery life. The Apple tax is hard to justify on specs alone.
What's the best AirPods Max alternative under $100?
The Soundcore Life Q20 at $50 is the best ultra-budget alternative. It provides active noise cancellation, a 40-hour battery, and Hi-Res Audio support. It won't match the AirPods Max in ANC strength or sound quality, but it delivers roughly 70-80% of the experience at about 11% of the cost.
Which AirPods Max alternative has the best battery life?
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 leads with a remarkable 60-hour battery—three times the AirPods Max's 20-hour rating. The Soundcore Life Q20 offers 40 hours, and the Sony XM5 provides 30 hours. Every alternative on this list outlasts the AirPods Max, which has the shortest battery among premium headphones.